Woodward Avenue gets 50 new signs, All American Road designation

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More than 18 months of regional planning and state-local cooperation
culminates this week with the installation of federal All American Road
signs along a 27-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue.

A total of 50 signs worth $45,000 will be installed as part of the 2009 All American Road project, a U.S. Dept of Transportation
program that awards funding for roadways deemed worthy of distinction
and therefore dollars that make the roadways more appealing, useful,
recognizable and memorable. Many such roadways around the country have
been deemed scenic parkways, historic routes and such. The majority of
Woodward signs will be installed this week by the Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) with a few not coming until spring.

Royal Oak-based WA3, the Woodward Avenue Action Association, is the local administrator of the program and worked with MDOT, all cities along the route, and DTE on the best placement and process for the sign installation

"The
intent is to really bring awareness that this is an exclusive and
important designation so that when visitors are here they say, 'Wow I've
seen that in other parts of America,' and they understand this is an
important part of history," says Heather Carmona, executive director of
WA3.

"They're very different signs, not your typical MDOT road
sign...It was a long process, 18-20 months. It was very challenging to
get these different signs, but MDOT was very accommodating," Carmona
says. "We were able to do something that was outside of the box and get
something that was eye catching and appealing and safe."

A prototype sign is located at McDonald's on Woodward near 13 Mile.

Of the 50 signs, 23 will be installed in Detroit. The remainder run north through Oakland County communities.